KEC Week 29

The tower framing and sips panels were prefabricated on the ground and hoisted up to the top of the tower. This approach was taken because it is much easier and safer to construct on the ground than 40 feet in the air.

Steel for the stair towers is complete.  About 60% of the steel on this project is post-consumer recycled and 15% is pre-consumer recycled.  Post consumer recycled means that the steel was originally used for something else, then it was salvaged and melted down and reused for the steel structure of this building.  Pre-consumer means that the manufacturer has some scrap steel as part of their own fabrication process and they melt down their own scrap and reuse it in production of new steel.

Stone veneer has started. The stone is from a local source in Connecticut about 45 miles from the project site.

Exterior vapor barrier Typar is being installed on the wall sheathing and 30# felt vapor retarder is installed on the roof. This prevents moisture from penetrating the exterior wall into the interior space.

Interior load bearing partitions are being framed.

Interior slab grinding is in progress.

The geothermal vault has been installed. This is where all of the piping from the wells is consolidated through a manifold into two larger supply and return lines that enter the building.

The earth duct piping and vaults are being installed.

The hot water piping that heats the greenhouse is being run from the East wing to the greenhouse underground under the courtyard. This hot water is made using a waste oil boiler in the mechanical room which uses recycled vegtable oil.

Next month the metal roofing, siding, and windows will start on the exterior and mechanical and electrical wiring and piping will start inside.